Aymeric Laporte is set to sit out Athletic Bilbao’s clash with Eibar on Friday night as his move to Manchester City edges closer, say reports.

The 23-year-old has a €65m release clause at the San Mames and will exit the Basque giants in a €70m deal overall, due to development rights also owed to the club.

Reports emerging from Bilbao on Friday, led by Onda Cero, state the defender has told the club he wishes to leave and he will be excluded from the matchday squad on Friday.

Barcelona were previously linked to the Athletic central defender before their agreement for Yerry Mina.

The former France Under-21 defender has made 222 first-team appearances at San Mames but with the emergence of central defenders Unai Nunez and Yeray Alvarez, his significance may perhaps become diminished.

Athletic currently sit 12th in La Liga but a win could temporarily elevate them 7th.